"Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better." Sydney J. Harris
V-Excel News
The reopening of the special school breathed in a new energy in the premises after the sultry summer break, thanks to the animated presence and
excitement of our children. The break time was constructively used for upgrading the facilities and included painting, polishing, repair work, purchases
of some resource material, etc., so that we were ready to receive the children for a fresh new academic year.
A very intense approach, focusing on a much deeper understanding of the child, has prompted V-Excel to try integrating the Waldorf education methodologies
for its special school. This allows us to work with children at the 'root' level and attempt a permanent and more intrinsic positive change in the
child. The aim of such training is to educate and develop the whole child, ‘head, heart and hands’.
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) invested in, and donated, a Swaraj Mazda as a school bus for our children. The formal inauguration was done on 12th June
2009 by Mr. Vaidyanathan, General Manager and Mr. Tamizhmarai, Public Relations Officer at IOB. The joy ride that followed in the beautifully decorated
van was the most delightful highlight of the day!
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
Change.... the keyword for KLC as it completed seven years; it seemed almost a rebirth for the school with its newly washed look and a whole new
curriculum in place. After including small activities and parts of curative education in the past year or so , this year we ventured into converting our
large reception and transition classes into a ‘Waldorf Kindergarten', complete with the ‘seasons’ corner and warm red curtains. The rest of the school also
has become a Waldorf inspired grade school with many elements of curative education included in the curriculum. We have introduced a lot of ‘movement’
activities, be it with copper rods or eurythmy.
A four-day teacher orientation was held from June 5 - 9 and was followed by a parents’ orientation on the 12th of June. The school children and adults
completed the annual artwork entitled 'Metamorphosis' to celebrate the Founders day of the school on 10 June.
This year we welcome new staff members Miss Bency and Mrs. Shashikala, and our new full-time volunteer Mrs. Vatsala. We would also like to congratulate
Mrs. Janaki Ashok for taking over as the Co-ordinator of KLC and who, with the able planning and execution of Dr. John Miller, will support running
of the school. We wish them all good luck in their new assignments.
Parents and teachers have had their first orientation in smaller groups where in parents have been introduced to the nature and planning of the work
conducted in every class and what their expectations could be. We are really looking for deep changes in the children this year and we are sincerely hoping
that all of us find ourselves closer and closer to the work we have all set out to do in our lives. In an outstanding example of real involvement and ownership
of the school, we would like to mention the excellent work put in by our staff, John, Neha, Puja, Sowmya and Kannan during the summer vacation in getting
the school ready for these significant changes. It’s on this strength that we all look forward to a new year of committed hard work.
Academy for Teacher Excellence
The written examinations for the RCI – Rehabilitation Council of India – recognized course namely Diploma in Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
were held in the last week of May 2009. The internal assessment was completed earlier in the year. We are happy to share that all our students have fared
very well in the exams.
Ms. Sheeba Roshan has joined us a Coordinator for the teacher training program. Sheeba has over 10 years experience as a regular school teacher and has
also gained training in the area of Special Education. She has worked closely with special needs children. We look forward to her inputs to the potential
special educators.
Early Intervention Unit
The unit opened for the new academic year on 1st June 2009. We are happy to share that we mainstreamed as many as eight children last year, who started
attending schools, play schools and primary schools. The year started with formal assessments and planning of intervention program for the current year.
Individual early intervention program has been formulated to meets the needs of the child. Commencement of group therapy is being planned and implemented
for children of various age groups to facilitate – (a) Sensory play (b) Social interaction (c) Motor skills, and (d) Functional activities.
Workshops for parents on handling young children are being planned to facilitate the home based program.
Bridges Learning Academy
School reopened after the summer break on the 10th of June. The teachers reported to school from the 5th onwards and used this time for detailed
planning and preparation for the forthcoming academic year.
Several new students have joined BLA this year. They are still in the process of settling down in their new surroundings and all efforts are being made
to make their stay at V-Excel enjoyable and fulfilling. This first month has been dedicated to the assessment of each child and required orientation.
The students have been divided into four groups based on their cognitive levels.
We welcome our new teacher, Ms. Sunanda, to the portals of BLA and wish her a long and happy tenure at V-Excel Educational Trust.
After some deliberation, it was decided to revamp the existing textbook structure, in an effort to make it more child-friendly and productive. The timetable
has also been refurbished, and it consists of an eclectic mix of academic and extra curricular activities. Several new teaching techniques are also
being introduced to facilitate learning and making it an enjoyable experience.
V-Excel Remedial Centre
•It has been a period of change, revamping, letting the new order take over from the old. In a major step towards restructuring to provide the best
possible services to the parents and children seeking remedial help, V-Excel has a brand new batch of teachers. Along with other important inputs from the
field of anthroposophy, all sessions of the children will include some aspects of curative education. The program itself will be designed by a multi-disciplinary
team so that a child coming for remedial may get holistic input which will help develop all aspects of his personality.
We welcome on board Ms. Kejal, Ms. Rachna, and Ms. Aparna, and look forward to their professional involvement and expertise in raising the bar of service
quality. We would also like to thank John, Parimal, and Puja, for stepping forward to assist in planning, assessment and program designing for children with
remedial needs.
Rural Outreach Program
The month of May was dedicated to the Identification survey across all the villages in 10 blocks of Villipuram district, Tamil Nadu. The surveyors
were our Special Educators who went door-to-door and listed all the children with disabilities. A statistical report is sent to the government.
A wide-scale awareness drive was undertaken and camps were held across various places. Multiple ways of generating awareness, such as dance, drama,
announcements from auto rickshaws, posters, banners, and ads, were used. The resulting enlistments at our day-care centers spoke volumes of the high degree
of reach and impact these media had on the general public.
Vocational Training Unit
The centre re-opened on the 3rd and we began with clay–mixing, an activity which brought everyone together. We hoped that all the pounding of hard
clay will bring people back to reality. We heartily welcome our two new students - Arivan & Aiswar.
We are preparing a lot of exciting products for the carnival scheduled for 6th September 2009. Look out of innovate re–usable bag in a pouch – our little
offering for a cleaner environment. Idea implementation, courtesy Mrs. Margaret Bush. She has also introduced big paper carry-bags & made paper-inserts for
garbage cans, instead of plastic. Each student makes a bag a day to be used at home.
Our new timetable has activities from anthroposophy: everything from food massage, bamboo–sticks, and copper rod to traditional games. We are thankful to
John Miller who is teaching us all this. We have also introduced house–keeping and shack-making activities. We are providing our students exposure to various
activities so as to help us to identify the right career option.
Team initiatives this month included parents support group at a music treat hosted by Devyani’s parents and an outing at Inox as a part of our monthly field trip.
Counseling and Assessment Unit
The School began on 10th of June and the month was full of organizing and settling down. Since we have adopted a new philosophy this year, the role of
counseling department also has undergone change. Counselors now play a wider role, not just based on referrals, but also being involved in the classrooms,
especially in KLC.
The counseling service for the corporate sector has taken off really well. From April onwards, we had our counselor going to Cognizant Technologies once a week. Over
50 people have sought our specialized services and reverted with a favorable feedback. We shall be focusing on corporate activity in the course of this year.
Contact Info :: India:
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24620243
91 - 44 – 24956373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
Contact Info :: USA:
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison, NJ 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
Volunteer Info:
Volunteers are an integral part of our success. Our most pressing needs are in the areas of occupational and speech therapies, and
as teacher aides. We also require assistance in library management.
If you have any of these and are interested in volunteering at V-Excel, please contact us.
India Autism: Trying Tradition
In India, old ideas are giving new options to treating autism. Liz Neisloss reports on that country's approach.
The best overall statement on what is unique about Waldorf education is to be found in the stated goals of the schooling: "to produce individuals who are
able, in and of themselves, to impart meaning to their lives".
The aim of Waldorf schooling is to educate the whole child, "head, heart and hands". The curriculum is as broad as time will allow, and balances academics
subjects with artistic and practical activities.
Waldorf teachers are dedicated to creating a genuine love of learning within each child. By freely using arts and activities in the service of teaching academics,
an internal motivation to learn is developed in the students, doing away with the need for competitive testing and grading.
Some distinctive features of Waldorf education include the following:
* Academics are de-emphasized in the early years of schooling. There is no academic content in the Waldorf kindergarten (i.e. pre-class 1) experience
(although there is a good deal of cultivation of pre-academic skills), and minimal academics in class 1. The letters are introduced artistically in
class 2, with the children learning to read from their own writing in class 2 or 3.
* During the primary school years (classes 1-8) the students have a class (or "main lesson") teacher who stays with the same class for (ideally) the first
eight years of their schooling.
* Certain activities which are often considered "frills" at mainstream schools are central at Waldorf schools: art, music, gardening, and foreign languages
(usually two in primary grades), to name a few. In the younger grades, all subjects are introduced through artistic mediums, because the children respond better
to this medium than to dry lecturing and rote learning. All children learn to play recorder and to knit.
* There are no "textbooks" as such in the first through fifth grades. All children have "main lesson books", which are their own workbooks which they fill in
during the course of the year. They essentially produce their own "textbooks" which record their experiences and what they've learned. Upper grades use
textbooks to supplement their main lesson work.
* All children learn a stringed instrument from class 3 onwards. This often includes one-on-one tuition as well as orchestra.
* Learning in a Waldorf school is a non-competitive activity. There are no grades given at the primary level; the teacher writes a detailed evaluation of
the child at the end of each school year.
* The use of electronic media, particularly television, by young children is strongly discouraged in Waldorf schools.
